Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is an award-winning institution based in Glasgow, Scotland, with an additional campus in London. It offers an innovative and creative education, contributing to society in a positive way and striving to go beyond the traditional role of a university.

GCU provides academic excellence, with students addressing real-world global challenges to transform lives. The university's commitment to the common good is at the forefront of its strategy, with an ambitious vision to be recognised as a world leader in social innovation by 2030.

GCU ranks in the UK's top 40 universities (Guardian University Guide, 2024), and is the second-best modern university in the UK (Daily Mail University Guide, 2024). It is the UK's leading university for key health areas including radiography, physiotherapy, and subjects allied to medicine, and comes first in the UK for food science (Times Good University Guide, 2024).

GCU boasts a range of professionally accredited courses and links with over 300 industry partners. As a result, when compared to other modern Scottish universities, it boasts the highest proportion (83 percent) of undergraduate level graduates in highly skilled occupations. Furthermore, 91 percent of its graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA, 2023).

The university community of over 1,600 staff and 22,000 students from nearly 120 countries enjoy state-of-the-art facilities across both campuses. The institution benefits from a large number of international students, and is globally connected with transnational partnerships in China, South Africa, Oman, Bangladesh and Mauritius.

Glasgow is the world's friendliest city (TimeOut, 2022) and boasts a strong arts and music scene, alongside plenty of other entertainment options. Students remain well-connected through the city's strong transport links across the UK, and direct flights to over 100 destinations from its international airport.

Glasgow Caledonian University provides top-class teaching, delivered by highly regarded faculty. Students are supported by teaching staff who bring a mixture of academic and practical expertise to the classroom, alongside knowledge gleaned through extensive experience in their fields from around the globe.

Many of the university's courses incorporate work placement opportunities, where students are able to acquire key industry knowledge and insights to enhance their employability after graduation. Within its classrooms and curricula, GCU strives to explore and utilise new, innovative learning methods, including through the use of cutting-edge facilities and equipment.

The School of Health and Life Sciences boasts an impressive interprofessional simulation suite, which provides virtual hospital, home, and care home environments for students to develop their skills and build their confidence prior to their placement. Within this facility, a dedicated diagnostic imaging suite allows students to safely practise using real x-ray and medical ultrasound equipment.

Additionally, GCU's Vision Centre is the only institution in the UK to provide clinical services for students to train as optometrists, ophthalmic dispensers and orthoptists.

GCU's four academic schools each house specific and specialised departments:

School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment (SCEBE)

SCEBE delivers a range of modern and innovative courses in the built and natural environment, boasting boasts significant research strength in sustainable environments. It has developed valuable industry connections for its students through both research and industrial placements.

The school's virtual reality and testing facilities include specialised labs for e-motion, forensics, sustainable energy, cybersecurity, and smart technologies.

Glasgow School for Business and Society (GSBS)

GSBS integrates business, law and social sciences to ensure all courses meet industry needs, and that students are professionally equipped for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.

External partners come to the school for the latest research-led thinking, to contribute to courses, and to access the talent of its students.

Purpose-built and authentic learning facilities include media studios, a fashion factory, a law clinic and a moot room.

School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS)

SHLS is one of Scotland's largest providers of health and life science education, offering a huge range of learning experiences across the social care and life sciences sectors.

Delivering research excellence in priority areas related to public health and managing long-term conditions, its primary goal is for all research to have a lasting and positive impact across society.

Professionally accredited courses mean students graduate with a head-start in their chosen field and scope for overseas employment.

GCU London

At a modern, postgraduate campus in the heart of London, GCU students benefit from top quality teaching and global industry partnerships.

With a focus on sustainability, responsible business and public health, GCU London delivers master's degrees across seven subject areas, providing the skills, tools and experience students need to change society.

Students at GCU must meet both academic and English language entry requirements.

Academic

At undergraduate level, academic entry requirements vary between courses. Students are advised to check the eligibility criteria for their specific degree prior to application.

For postgraduate degrees, students must typically hold a minimum 2:2 bachelor's degree with honours, or an equivalent qualification.

English language

International students who come from a country which is not classified as a UKVI majority-English speaking country must provide evidence of their English language proficiency.

Broadly speaking, to enrol on a degree at GCU, students must have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no band score below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The result must relate to a test taken within the past two years.

Students are advised to check the specific requirements for their degree, since some programmes require a higher level of English.

A range of English language qualifications are accepted by GCU, and students can even undertake the Oxford ELLT through the university to receive a discount on the cost of their test.

GCU is committed to providing a range of scholarships to international students, as detailed below.

New to GCU undergraduate

International students studying a full-time course at GCU from September 2024 are eligible for a tuition fee discount of up to GBP 2,500 per year.

New to GCU postgraduate

International students of Indian, Nigerian and Pakistani nationality, on a full-time postgraduate taught course for the 2024-2025 academic year, are eligible for a tuition fee discount of up to GBP 3,000.

New to GCU regional scholarship

International students from Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam, who study a full-time taught course in the 2024-2025 academic year are eligible for a tuition fee discount of GBP 3,500.

Moffat Scholarship

Outstanding applicants wishing to attend GCU to study travel, tourism or events programmes can apply for a scholarship from the Moffat Charitable Trust to support them in their studies.

Postgraduate Ambassador Scholarship

A full tuition fee scholarship for a one year master's degree. Applicants must hold an unconditional offer to study for a master's degree at GCU (at either campus), commencing in September 2024, and must be able to detail how they will cover their living costs.

GREAT Scholarships 2024

Three scholarships in the amount of GBP 10,000 are available to students from Bangladesh and Kenya, studying a one-year postgraduate course.

Student loyalty discount

From the 2024-2025 academic year onwards, GCU offers a loyalty scholarship for all fee-paying students who have already received an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from the university (or one of its founding institutions). The value of the discount is a 30 percent tuition fee reduction.

Early payment

Students receive a five percent tuition fee discount if they have paid their fees in full prior to the first teaching date of their course. This is only applicable to students with fees of over GBP 5,000.

Glasgow Caledonian University provides an outstanding learning environment, where students are surrounded by exceptional facilities and equipment designed to enhance both their degree and their future career.

GCU is located in the heart of the bustling city of Glasgow, with all its resources positioned in convenient and desirable locations for students.

The recognisable Sir Alex Ferguson Library is the campus hub, housing the university library, which features academic study materials and literature as well as independent and group study spaces, special collections and the university's extensive archives.

GCU is also home to a large, modern refectory and several friendly cafes serving a range of food at affordable prices throughout the day. Communal spaces across the campus contain spaces for both work and relaxation, including sofas, study desks and computer workstations, as well as a high-quality gym.

Accommodation is available to students on campus in the city-centre Caledonian Court. This vibrant, self-catered residence is home to 660 students in 100 flats. Flats are typically shared by six to eight students and rooms are mostly single, many with en-suite facilities. Students may also choose to live nearby in privately rented accommodation.

Impressive degree-specific facilities include the specialist Vision Centre, a law clinic, moot room, physiotherapy clinic, virtual reality labs, forensics labs, and the School of Health and Life Sciences' interprofessional simulation suite.

Rankings climb

Glasgow Caledonian University reached new heights in the 2024 university rankings, reaffirming its status as Scotland's largest and leading modern university.

Principal and vice chancellor, Professor Steve Decent, said: "These fantastic results recognise the university's relentless pursuit of excellence for our students. They are a testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing outstanding student outcomes, and forging impactful partnerships with the public sector and business community. As we celebrate these achievements, we stand poised to inspire and shape the future of higher education in Scotland."

Guardian University Guide

An impressive climb in the highly regarded Guardian University Guide (2024) places Glasgow Caledonian University 40th in the UK.

The university retains its status as the overall top-performing modern university in Scotland.

At subject level, GCU ranked among the top three universities in the UK (and first in Scotland) for social work, animation and game design, and nutrition and food science. GCU ranked in the top 10 (and first in Scotland) for hospitality, events management and tourism, forensics science, marketing and PR, and physiotherapy.

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide

GCU ranks 50^th in the UK in the Times Good University Guide (2024), affirming its position as Scotland's top-performing modern university, and the leading UK university in key health areas including subjects allied to medicine, physiotherapy, and radiography.

GCU's food science programme ranks first in the UK, with hospitality, leisure, recreation and tourism ranking second in the UK (first in Scotland).

Daily Mail University Guide

The Daily Mail University Guide ranks GCU as the second-highest top-performing modern university in the UK.

The university's strength in preparing graduates for high-skilled jobs is underscored by its ranking of 23rd in the UK.